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Linda Mabhena-Olagunju (born January 1, 1984) is a South African entrepreneur and businesswoman. She is the founder of DLO Energy Resources Group (Pty) Ltd, an independent power producer (IPP). Mabhena-Olagunju currently serves as the company's chief executive officer.

She has been a member of the University of Oxford International Advisory Board since 2018 and is currently an admitted attorney of the High Court of South Africa.

Early life

Mabhena-Olagunju was born in Matatiele in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Her mother, Pindiwe Mabhena, was a primary school teacher and father Michael a criminal law and litigation lawyer. They were also both entrepreneurs. She has 2 siblings. Mabhena-Olagunju grew up during the period of apartheid. Her mother's family were activists against the apartheid regime and her home provided comfort and shelter to those returning from exile or hiding.

Education

Mabhena-Olagunju attended the National School of Arts High School in Johannesburg; where she majored in drama. She went on to study law at the University of Cape Town, where she attained an LLB (Bachelor of Law). After graduation Mabhena-Olagunju worked at a law firm for a short while before heading to Aberdeen, Scotland to further her education, gaining a masters in International Commercial Law with specialization in oil and gas law.

Career

Aberdeen City Council

In 2007, Mabhena-Olagunju began working part-time for the Aberdeen City Council. One of her major projects involved developing Aberdeen's first offshore wind farm. This drew major opposition from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who tried to halt the project in a losing court battle; arguing the development would spoil the view from Trump International Golf Links, Scotland.

Dewey & LeBoeuf

In 2010, Mabhena-Olagunju began work for the global law firm Dewey & LeBeouf in their Johannesburg office. She became the youngest negotiator for the firm and secured funding from the World Bank for South Africa's public electricity utility, Eskom.

DLO Energy Resources Group

Mabhena-Olagunju launched DLO Energy Resources Group in 2011. She then went on to acquire an equity stake in one of the largest wind farms in Africa. The project was valued at over $3.3 billion. The company recently acquired an equity stake in a large EPC and O&M company, making it South Africa's first majority black-owned female engineering services company.

Awards and achievements

In 2014, Mabhena-Olagunju was listed amongst the 20 most powerful women in Africa featured on the Oprah Winfrey Power List. In 2016, Veuve Clicoquot awarded Mabhena-Olagunju with their annual Elle Boss Award. In 2017, Linda was recognized as the Best Emerging Entrepreneur by Forbes Woman Africa. A year later she was recognized as the 2018 Youngest Board Member on the University of Oxford's International Advisory Board and she appeared in the 2020 Choiseul 100 Africa Economic Leaders For Tomorrow list. She was also recognized by the University of South Africa at the Bring Her Up: Women of Firsts Awards and honored with the Astounding in STEM award.

She is currently a member of the University of Oxford International Advisory Board.

Personal life

Linda Mabhena-Olagunju is married to Olayinka Khalid Olagunju. They have three daughters.

References

1. "African Studies Centre's International Advisory Board Inauguration". Retrieved 4 May 2021.
2. Msweli, Vumile (21 August 2020). "An interview with Linda Mabhena-Olagunju". Business Day. Nigeria. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
3. Bulbulia, Tasneem (10 December 2018). "DLO Energy Resources invests in 30 MW solar plant in Nigeria". Engineering News. South Africa. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
4. "DLO Energy". Retrieved 4 May 2021.
5. "African Studies Centre's International Advisory Board Inauguration". Retrieved 4 May 2021.
6. "Linda Mabhena-Olagunju". Retrieved 13 May 2021.
7. "Sula Group Executive Management". Retrieved 13 May 2021.
8. "African Power & Energy Elites Personality: Linda Mabhena-Olagunju". 31 January 2019. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
9. "A Bloodbath In The Wind". Retrieved 12 May 2021.
10. "Playwright stole my work, says law student". Retrieved 13 May 2021.
11. Siziba, Nompu (29 October 2020). "Black-female-led energy companies team up to save National School of the Arts". Moneyweb. South Africa. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
12. Sobuwa, Yoliswa (2 November 2020). "Women-led firm energises arts students". Sowetan Live. South Africa. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
13. "Law students tutor young legal eagles". Retrieved 4 May 2021.
14. Kevin, Keane (2 July 2018). "Aberdeen wind farm opposed by Donald Trump generates first power". BBC News. UK. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
15. Motau, Dimakatso (7 October 2011). "Internship programmes helping SA tackle skills shortages". Engineering News. South Africa. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
16. "De Aar wind projects connected to the grid". Retrieved 13 May 2021.
17. "De Aar wind-power projects start feeding electricity to Northern Cape". Retrieved 13 May 2021.
18. Grant-Marshall, Sue (5 February 2017). "Winning Women: Pushing the power of green". News24. South Africa. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
19. Obineme, Ndubuisi (29 August 2018). "DLO Energy to invest in Gas-To-Power projects in Africa". Oil & Gas Republic. South Africa. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
20. "The 2014 O Power List: 21 African Women Who are Rocking the World". 18 July 2014. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
21. Seeth, Avantika (9 October 2016). "Elle Boss rewards achievers". News24. South Africa. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
22. "A Bloodbath In The Wind". September 2015. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
23. "Iconic South African women honoured at Unisa". Retrieved 13 May 2021.
24. "Linda-Mabhena-Olagunju". Retrieved 30 April 2021.
25. "African Studies Centre Inaugurates Its International Advisory Board". Retrieved 30 April 2021.
26. "LINDA MABHENA-OLAGUNJU". Retrieved 30 April 2021.
27. "African Power & Energy Elites Personality: Linda Mabhena-Olagunju". Retrieved 13 May 2021.
28. "BN Making It!: Fierce, Hardworking & Innovative Linda Mabhena-Olagunju Shows Us We Live in the Age of Amazing Boss Ladies in Africa". 23 August 2016. Retrieved 13 May 2021.

• 1984 births
• Living people
• University of Cape Town alumni
• South African businesspeople